Manchester United-bound boys for training

Surely going to be a lifetime experience for the 12 kids who toiled hard to bag the coveted Manchester United  Airtel Rising Stars (ARS)!

52 shortlisted players from 16 cities were put through their paces by four Manchester United coaches - Michael McClean, Mick Bennett, Andrew Cunningham, and Kevin O’Connell. The players were divided into four teams of 12 each and were tested on some specific parameters - physical attributes, individual skills, match situations and their performances in actual matches before 12 of the best players were chosen to travel to Manchester United for a week and to train alongside the Manchester United Academy team. 

The 5-day camp was a culmination of the three month long talent hunt that was conducted across 16 cities with the support of the respective state and district associations. 

Selected players

• Mukul Mohindra (GK) – New Delhi
• Kartikeya Swarup – New Delhi
• Russel Lyndoh (Defender) – Shillong
  Favorite team: Barcelona
  Favorite international player: David Luiz (Chelsea)
  Favorite player in India: Kareem Omolaja (Royal Wahingdoh)

• Remitri Thama (Midfielder)– Shillong
  Favorite team: Barcelona
  Favorite international player: Christiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
  Favorite player in India: Eugenson Lynghoh (Shilong Lajong FC)

• Ashish Sharma – Mumbai
• Porus F Shroff  – Mumbai
• Jijo –  Kochi
• Rahul – Kochi
• Afdal – Calicut

• Krishanu Santra (Defender) – Kolkata
  India U-13, -14 international, Mohun Bagan U-15
  Favorite team: Manchester United
  Favorite team in India: Mohun Bagan
  Favorite international player: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)

• Teja Pawan Kumar – Hyderabad

• Rushabh Dhere (Midfielder)– Pune
  Pune FC U-17, Krida Prabodhini
  Favorite international player: Christiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
  Favorite Indian player: Sunil Chettri (Sporting Clude de Portugal)

Team selected four boys as standbys in case of injury, illness or Passport/Visa problems should occur to any of the selected players. 

• Md Shafi (GK) – Calicut
• Jordan Fernandes – Pune
• Akeraj Martins – Pune
• Joel Fernandes– Goa